Bonifay Council discusses traffic troubles

By Cecilia Spears

Published: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 11:57 AM.

BONIFAY — Bonifay resident Thomas Boswell came before the Bonifay City Council on Monday with various issues, which included congested traffic due to the recent construction at all of the railroad crossings except State Road 79.

“This work being done on the railroads is a headache,” said Boswell. “Shutting down all of the streets except one is quite a hassle.”

Police Chief Chris Wells agreed with him.

“We’ve become quite displeased with their services,” said Wells. “Originally they were supposed to leave the crossing on Moody and 79 to alleviate traffic congestion, but before you knew it, they shut down Moody too. We’ve tried getting up with whoever is in charge but every time we call it seems to be someone else and they’re not available.”

Council Member Roger Brooks assured the council that most of the roads were reopened and there would be a few that would be closed again for additional work, but this work wouldn’t be as extensive.

Another issue Boswell presented to the council was late water bills.

“I’ve heard talk that the water bills have the tendency to come in late and that there’s a 10 percent penalty for payments turned in past the 15th of every month,” said Boswell. “This doesn’t seem fair if the bills aren’t arriving until as late as the 10th. People sure have at least 10 days to pay their bill after receiving a notice, especially those of us who are on a fixed income and might not have the money by time the bill arrives.”

BONIFAY — Bonifay resident Thomas Boswell came before the Bonifay City Council on Monday with various issues, which included congested traffic due to the recent construction at all of the railroad crossings except State Road 79.

“This work being done on the railroads is a headache,” said Boswell. “Shutting down all of the streets except one is quite a hassle.”

Police Chief Chris Wells agreed with him.

“We’ve become quite displeased with their services,” said Wells. “Originally they were supposed to leave the crossing on Moody and 79 to alleviate traffic congestion, but before you knew it, they shut down Moody too. We’ve tried getting up with whoever is in charge but every time we call it seems to be someone else and they’re not available.”

Council Member Roger Brooks assured the council that most of the roads were reopened and there would be a few that would be closed again for additional work, but this work wouldn’t be as extensive.

Another issue Boswell presented to the council was late water bills.

“I’ve heard talk that the water bills have the tendency to come in late and that there’s a 10 percent penalty for payments turned in past the 15th of every month,” said Boswell. “This doesn’t seem fair if the bills aren’t arriving until as late as the 10th. People sure have at least 10 days to pay their bill after receiving a notice, especially those of us who are on a fixed income and might not have the money by time the bill arrives.”

In other business, the council approved replacing the Bonifay Police Department’s air conditioning unit for $4,191.50.

“The air went out last week and we got someone to check out the unit,” said Wells. “The voltage meter is suppose to read that it pulls an average voltage of 15 to 18, but this was pulling out a voltage of 32 and we were told it was just a matter of time before it burned itself out. Summer’s coming up and it would be nice to have it fixed or replaced.”

The council also agreed to look into Council Member Andrew Granger’s request for any necessary repairs to Banfill Avenue near East Side Park as well as on East Moore Avenue.

The Bonifay City Council will next meet at 6 p.m. on May 6 at the Bonifay City Hall.